WASHINGTON – Republicans were inching closer to a majority in the House of Representatives as Election Day came to a close, but control of the Senate was still up in the air Tuesday night – likely to be decided in the coming days by a handful of tight races – as Democrats avoided the shellacking some had predicted.

More ballots will be counted in the coming days, so the exact results of the race are likely to change. County auditors were anticipating a later-than-normal surge in voting, meaning it could be the end of this week or early next before most ballots are counted.

BELLEVUE – Democratic incumbent Steve Hobbs is leading in the race for secretary of state, although nonpartisan opponent Julie Anderson is not far behind.

Rep. Cathy McMorris Rodgers is headed to her 10th term in Congress, as Tuesday night's return show voters in Eastern Washington favored her over Democratic challenger Natasha Hill. 

Democratic incumbent Vicky Dalton is up by 4 percentage points in the race for Spokane County auditor, but if the results of the August primary election are any indication, the race is far from over.

The race quickly became one of the most expensive and closely watched in recent history. 

Incumbent Spokane County Prosecutor Larry Haskell won a third term in Tuesday’s election.

The measure would give city lawmakers more control over launching litigation and firing the attorney in charge at Spokane City Hall. 

A three-tenths of 1% sales tax to fund Airway Height's transportation benefit district was passing after Tuesday night's returns, with 57.2% of the vote. The district was approved by voters in November 2013, and the city said it needed to extend the tax and increase it by one-tenth of 1% to pay for needed infrastructure as the city continues to grow. 

Two new District Court judges will take the bench after Tuesday's election in Spokane County. 

Dozens of courtroom fights over Tuesday’s elections, both months old and new, have a chance to delay the results of the midterm elections or even decide the results of some close races, election law experts said.

Don't be fooled by Tuesday's initial results as they could only reflect a small number of ballots returned. 

 While Washingtonians have been casting ballots and making their voices heard in Tuesday's midterm elections, some of Washington's top corporations have put their money where their interests lie.

House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy, R-Calif., is predicting the GOP will retake Congress in the midterm elections and he’ll be the next speaker. Just hours before polls open, McCarthy vowed Republicans will win “at least enough to win the majority” and said “anywhere over 20 (seats) is a red wave.” He refused to be drawn into the possibility that he could wind up in a messy battle with ...

As election watchers imagine what the Hill will look like after the midterms, they may start with the bustle in the hallways. The Capitol could fully reopen to the public as soon as January if Republicans win a majority.

Heading into the general election Tuesday, Lincoln and Ferry counties have indicated no interest in reinstalling the device.

In the most recent incident, someone broke into a stable of Dr. John R. Corkery and stole two horses, along with saddles and bridles. One of the horses was found the next morning, "peacefully grazing.” The other was still missing.

If the steady stream of campaign commercials are to be believed – admittedly a questionable hypothesis – Tuesday’s election is the most important in our lifetime. Or possibly in recorded history.

The turbulent midterm campaign rolled through its final weekend Sunday as voters — buffeted by record inflation, worries about their personal safety and fears about the fundamental stability of American democracy — showed clear signs of preparing to reject Democratic control of Washington and embrace divided government.